Xabi Alonso Faces the Same Turmoil Arteta Endured in 2020

By Harshit - Dec 09, 2025 07:58 PM
Last updated on Dec 09, 2025 07:58 PM

Xabi Alonso’s early days at Real Madrid have created a level of tension that feels strikingly familiar to those who watched Mikel Arteta’s turbulent stretch in late 2020. Back then, Arsenal were collapsing in form, fan trust was evaporating, and every headline seemed determined to predict Arteta’s exit. Each poor result intensified the scrutiny, and the idea of “trusting the process” was mocked endlessly as the club limped toward the relegation zone.

Today, remarkably, Arsenal stand among Europe’s most complete and commanding teams under the same manager many once wrote off. That dramatic turnaround is often used as a reminder that transformation requires patience — patience Real Madrid may not be willing to offer Alonso. And that is where the real pressure begins.

Xabi Alonso steps into a cauldron where expectations are relentless, where every misstep is magnified, and where cultural change is far more difficult to implement than it looks from the outside. As Real Madrid show signs of hesitation, structural confusion, and wavering belief, comparisons with Arteta’s earliest struggles feel increasingly unavoidable.

The Rising Pressure on Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

Alonso’s arrival at Madrid was greeted with enormous excitement. His reputation for tactical clarity, positional play, and transformative work elsewhere created hopes that he could usher in a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu. But the early phase of his project has not aligned with those expectations. The loss to Celta Vigo amplified concerns about whether the ideas behind his system are genuinely resonating with the squad.

Real Madrid look unusually unsteady in possession. The fluidity Alonso is known for has not taken shape, and players often seem caught between instructions. The pressing structure appears inconsistent, leaving the team exposed in critical transitions. Supporters, analysts, and even former players have questioned whether the squad fully understands their roles or whether the philosophy is being communicated effectively.

Compounding the issue are Alonso’s own decisions. His lineup choices have raised eyebrows, and in-game adjustments have not consistently improved performances. The situation surrounding Vinícius Júnior, following his visible frustration after being substituted, has intensified speculation that Alonso may be losing influence inside the dressing room.

The Parallels With Arteta’s 2020 Struggles

Alonso’s childhood friend Mikel Arteta endured a similarly brutal spell in 2020. Arsenal looked directionless, confidence was depleted, and the project seemed to be crumbling. Yet Arteta maintained his belief, continued pushing his ideas, and worked relentlessly to rebuild the culture of the club. Over time, the squad adapted. The environment shifted. The football transformed.

What Arteta went through has become a powerful reference point. It illustrates how chaotic the early stages of cultural change can be and how easy it is for a manager to be written off long before their work has time to bloom. However, the critical difference lies in the environments: Real Madrid is not Arsenal. It is a club driven by immediate results, unforgiving expectations, and a demanding fan base that rarely tolerates growing pains.

Madrid’s culture is built on star power, freedom in attack, and a preference for intuitive football rather than rigid tactical frameworks. Alonso has been asked to tighten the structure — a task far more complex at this club than anywhere else. The challenge is not just tactical; it is psychological, historical, and deeply rooted in the identity of Real Madrid itself.

The Historical Challenge of “Tactical Coaches” at Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s last decade and a half has produced astonishing levels of success without fully embracing the modern tactical revolution other elite clubs have followed. Systems-led managers often struggle here. The club’s belief in individual brilliance, player autonomy, and adaptive creativity sometimes clashes with coaches who prefer structure and detailed choreography.

The legacy of managers like Benítez and Lopetegui looms large over Alonso’s early tenure. They arrived with strong tactical reputations but struggled to convert those ideas into results within Madrid’s unique environment. For Alonso, the fear is that he could be placed into that same category if results do not turn around quickly.

Yet the flip side is equally important: Real Madrid’s players have shown time and again that when they buy into a manager’s plan — no matter how demanding — they can achieve extraordinary levels of performance. The question now is whether Alonso can earn that belief before the pressure becomes overwhelming.

The Urgency for Results and the Decisions Ahead

Regardless of philosophy or long-term ambition, Real Madrid is a club where results ultimately define survival. Alonso cannot rely on goodwill alone. The team’s recent form, marked by inconsistency across key fixtures, has pushed the project into a fragile period where every match carries amplified significance.

The upcoming fixture on Wednesday night has become more than just another match — it is an opportunity for Alonso to demonstrate authority, clarity, and courage. He will need to make bold choices with his lineup, tactical adjustments, and emotional management of the squad. Real Madrid supporters want conviction. They want identity. They want results that justify the project.

Whether Alonso chooses to double down on his philosophy or make pragmatic short-term adjustments will shape the narrative moving forward. A strong performance could ease tension and reset belief. Another disappointing display could intensify conversations about whether he is the right fit for Madrid at this moment in their historical cycle.

Can Xabi Alonso Turn the Tide?

Alonso is facing a crossroads that will define the trajectory of his Real Madrid tenure. He has the intelligence, the footballing education, and the experience to guide a top club through transition. The question is whether the environment will allow him the time and space needed to build something sustainable.

Pressure at Real Madrid is different. It is sharp, immediate, and uncompromising. But it is also a test that, when passed, elevates a coach to legendary status. Arteta proved that turmoil can be temporary and transformation is possible. The path is difficult, but not impossible.

The next chapter of Xabi Alonso’s story begins now. Will he rewrite the narrative, or will Madrid’s weight prove too heavy too soon? Wednesday night may not decide everything, but it will certainly reveal whether he is ready to fight his way through the storm and reclaim control of the project.

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